Pulling wheel construction

ABSTRACT

A pulling wheel construction is provided which includes separate peripheral elements for a spoke-type pulling wheel. The peripheral elements are held at one end by a rotatable circular member and at the opposite end by a ring member. The elements define a discontinuous, cylindrical surface for receiving a strand or the like and define slots therebetween to receive spokes of a spoke wheel within the pulling wheel. The spokes project beyond the peripheral elements to eject the strand from the periphery of the pulling wheel at a predetermined position thereon. The individual peripheral elements can be made of hard and long wearing material to increase the life of the pulling wheel, and they are also individually replaceable in the event of damage or failure. Further, only a few need be removed for access to the interior of the pulling wheel.

United States Patent [191 Gelin [111 3,826,418 [451 Jul 30, 1974 PULLING WHEEL CONSTRUCTION [75] Inventor: Robert .1. Gelin, Newark, Ohio [73] Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, Ohio [22] Filed: Apr. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 353,149

[52] US. Cl 226/190, 29/121 R, 226/5 [51] Int. Cl B65h 17/20 [58] Field of Search 226/168, 190, 193, 5; 29/121 A, 124, 121 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 931,982 8/1909 Anderson 29/121 R 2,181,091 11/1939 McLean 29/121 R 2,313,630 3/1943 Dockcrty 29/121 R 3,071,301 l/l963 Benson 226/5 X 3,237,276 3/1966 Von Der Otte 29/121 R Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Attorney, Agent, or Firm-st & mm

Allen D. Gutchess, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A pulling wheel construction is provided which includes separate peripheral elements for a spoke-type pulling wheel. The peripheral elements are held at one end by a rotatable circular member and at the opposite end by a ring member. The elements define a discontinuous, cylindrical surface for receiving a strand or the like and define slots therebetween to receive spokes of a spoke wheel within the pulling wheel. The spokes project beyond the peripheral elements to eject the strand from the periphery of the pulling wheel at a predetermined position thereon. The individual peripheral elements can be made of hard and long wearing material to increase the life of the pulling wheel, and they are also individually replaceable in the event of damage or failure. Further, only a few need be removed for access to the interior of the pulling wheel.

13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 PULLING WHEEL CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to a pulling wheel, and more particularly to a construction for a spoke-type pulling wheel.

Pulling wheels of the spoke type heretofore were made with rotatable covers having integral peripheral portions in which slots for the spokes of the spoke wheel projected. The covers including the peripheral portions were machined out of one piece of metal and such metal was of necessity not as effective as desired from the standpoint of wear because of the machinability requirements of the metal. Such elements were frequently coated with an oxide material to provide additional resistance to wear but this coating would tend to readily chip and would also wear away, particularly if the strand or other material being pulled tended to slip on the periphery of the pulling wheel to any extent. Also, with the integral construction, in the event that parts of the rotatable cover were damaged or failed, it was necessary to replace the entire unit. It was also not possible to gain access to the interior of the pulling wheel without removing the entire cover.

The present invention provides an improved pulling wheel construction specifically for pulling wheels of the spoke type. The new pulling wheel has a rotatable, circular member which carries ends of elongate peripheral dividing elements which are separate and separable from the rotatable member. The elements define the periphery of the pulling wheel and also divide it into gaps or slots uniformly spaced therearound to receive the spokes of a spoke wheel mounted within the interior of the pulling wheel. A ring member is located at the opposite ends of the peripheral elements to receive and retain those ends in a circular configuration with the elements located in parallel, spaced relationship. With this arrangement, the peripheral elements themselves can be of heavier, long wearing material, and the rotatable circular member can be of a lighter material. Heretofore, the rotatable circular cover and the peripheral portion had to be of the same light weight metal since there was but a single structurally integral unit. Because the peripheral elements need not be machined, it is not necessary for them to be of a soft, machinable material either. Further, it is possible to gain access to the interior of the pulling wheel by removing only a few of the peripheral elements rather than the entire cover including the peripheral portion, as had heretofore been necessary.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide an improved pulling wheel construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved spoke-type pulling wheel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pulling wheel with separate peripheral elements.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pulling wheel having a rotatable circular member holding separate peripheral elements which can be individually replaced.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a pulling wheel with long-wearing, peripheral elements.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pulling wheel in which the interior is more readily accessible.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed desciption of a preferred embodiment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic side view in elevation of apparatus for forming a strand of filaments, including a pulling wheel embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the pulling wheel of FIG. 1, with parts broken away and with parts in section;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical cross section of the pulling wheel; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, exploded view in perspective of a peripheral portion of the pulling wheel according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a typical environment for a pulling wheel is shown, including a bushing 10 which melts glass or other heat-softenable material. The flowable material is then attenuated through orifices in a bushing tip section 12 to form filaments 14 which are gathered into a strand 16 by a shoe or guide 18. A size or binder is applied to the filaments before reaching the shoe 18 by a conventional applicator 20. The strand 16,

is passed around an idler 22 to the periphery of a pulling wheel 24, the strand 16 wrapping around a substantial portion of the periphery of the pulling wheel 24 and then being ejected downwardly. The pulling wheel is driven at a high rate of speed in a counterclockwise direction by a suitable motor 26.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the motor 26 of FIG. 1 is connected to a drive shaft 28 which extends through a tubular support 30 mounted by legs 32 on a frame 34. The shaft 28 extends through bearings 36 and 38 at the ends of the tubular member 30 and projects beyond a stationary support or base plate 40 which is suitably carried by the tubular support 30. A drive gear and specifically a timing pulley 42 is suitably affixed to the drive shaft 28 beyond the base plate'40 and has a timing belt 44 engaged therewith and extending partially therearound. As shown specifically in FIG. 2, the timing belt 44 also engages two driven gears or timing pulleys 46 which drive two spoke wheels indicated at 48. The reason for two of the spoke wheels 48 is to assure that the strand will be ejected from the pulling wheel 24 without being completely wrapped therearound. If the strand does become completely wrapped around the pulling wheel, it is very difficult to remove since a number of wraps of the strand, under considerable tension, will be formed on the pulling wheel before it can be stopped. Such strand also tends to cut into and damage the periphery of the pulling wheel. Consequently, if the first of the spoke wheels 48 shown in the 9 oclock position fails to eject the strand downwardly, the second spoke wheel 48 at the 6 oclock position will do so. Each of the spoke wheels 48, as shown in FIG. 3, in particular, includes an axle 50 which is suitably affixed to the base plate 40 and has the driven timing pulley 46 rotatably mounted thereon by a bearing 52. A hub 54 is affixed to the driven pulley 46 and has a plurality of spokes 56 extending radially outwardly therefrom.

For rotating the overall pulling wheel, a hub 58 is suitably affixed to the shaft 28 and has a mounting flange 60 extending outwardly near the end of the shaft. A rotatable'circular member 62 is connected to the flange 60 by fasteners 64 and has a central cover plate 66 affixed thereto. The circular member 62 has a circular periphery 68 with a multiplicity of notches 70 therein, as shown in FIG. 4. Ends of elongate, periphnotches 70 and extend in a common direction from the circular member 62. The ends are held within the notches 70 by a first retaining ring 76 having a horizonta! flange 78 extending under the notches 70 and the elements 72 and 74 and having an inwardly-extending flange 80 positioned contiguous with a peripheral surface portion of the circular member 62. The flange 80 has openings 82 therein which receive fasteners 84 engaged in threaded openings 86 of the circular member 62. The flange 80 also has openings 88 receiving fasteners 90 which extend into threaded openings 92 in the elements 74 In a preferred form, the elements 74 constitute about only every sixth or seventh one of the peripheral elements with the elements therebetween being held in the notches 70 by the retaining; member 76 without any fasteners. The elements 72 and 74 are otherwise the same, having outwardly-facing surfaces 94 defining a discontinuous, cylindrical surface for the periphery of the pulling wheel 24, and also having inwardly extending converging surfaces 96. The elements 72 and 74 are spaced apart a distance sufficient to divide the cylindrical surface-into slots or gaps 98 (FIG. 2) which receive the spokes 56, with the converging surfaces 96 of the elements 72 and 74 providing clearance for the spokes as they enter and leave the: slots 98.

The elements 72 and 74 can be made of hard, longwearing, heavy metal since they need not be machined to any extent and since they are separate from the rotatable member 62, which can be made of light weight metal. The elements 72 and 74 can be of stainless steel, for example, whereas the integral covers used before were of aluminum. if the previous integral covers were made of a heavy metal, the pulling wheels would require excessive time to reach operating speed and also to stop.

A supporting ring member 100 at the opposite ends of the elements 72 and 74 also has a circular periphery 102 with notches 104 in which the opposite ends of the elements are received. The notches. 70 and 104 are positioned to maintain the elements 72 and 74 in spaced, parallel relationship in cooperation with the notches 70. A second retaining ring or member 106 retains these ends of the elements in the notches 104. The retaining ring 106 has a horizontally extending flange 108 which retains the elements in the notches and has an inwardly extending flange 110 which lies in a recessed portion 112 of the ring 100. The flange 110 has openings 114 positioned to receive the fasteners 90 to be threaded into the openings 92 at the opposite ends of the elements 74. The flange 110 also has openings 116 which are positioned to receive additional ones of the fasteners 90 to be threaded into openings 118 which are located in the ring 100 between the notches 104. The assembled rings 100 and 110 are located adjacent an annular flange 120 of the base plate 40. An internal shroud 122 is mounted on the flange 120 and substantially prevents unwanted pumping of air through the slots 98.

It will be seen from the above that it is a relatively simple matter to replace one or a few of the elements 72 or 74 in the event they become damaged, which can occur, for example, if the spokes 56 of the spoke wheel 48 become unsynchronized with the rotation of the pulling wheel. The elements 72 and 74 also can be made of a heavier, stronger, and longer wearing metal,

than heretofore. Further, only a few of the elements 72 or 74 need be removed for access to the interior of the pulling wheel.

Various modifications of the above-described embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is to be understood that such modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, if they are within the spirit and the tenor of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

I. A pulling wheel comprising a rotatable shaft, a rotatable member connected to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a multiplicity of elongate peripheral elements separate and separable from one another, means associated with the periphery of said rotatable member for receiving ends of said rotatable member, said peripheral elements defining a peripheral surface with gaps therebetween and being separable from said rotatable member, an annular ring member at the opposite ends of said peripheral elements and having means for receiving the opposite ends to hold said peripheral elements in fixed, parallel relationship, said peripheral elements being separable from said ring member, and a stationary circular member spaced from said rotatable member and having a peripheral edge adjacent said ring member.

2. A pulling wheel according to claim 1 characterized by said rotatable member being circular and having notches in the periphery thereof which receive ends of said peripheral elements, and a retaining ring affixed to said rotatable member and holding the ends of said peripheral elements in said notches.

3. A pulling wheel according to claim 1 characterized by said ring member having notches receiving the opposite ends of said peripheral elements, and a retaining ring holding said opposite ends in said notches.

4. A pulling wheel according to claim 1 characterized by fastening means connecting certain ones of said peripheral elements with said rotatable member, and additional fastening means connecting the opposite ends of the peripheral elements which are connected with said rotatable member to said ring member.

5. A pulling wheel comprising a rotatable member having a peripheral edge, a multiplicity of elongate peripheral elements of generally triangular shape in transverse cross section, and including outwardly facing surfaces and two converging surfaces, means associated with the peripheral edge of said rotatable member for holding said peripheral elements with the outwardly facing surfaces positioned to form a discontinuous cylindrical surface adjacent said rotatable member, an annular ring spaced from said rotatable member and engaging portions of said peripheral elements spaced from said rotatable member and aiding in holding said elements in fixed, parallel relationship.

6. A pulling wheel according to claim 5 characterized by said holding means comprises notches in the peripheral edge of said rotatable member into which the ends of said peripheral elements extend, and a retaining ring affixed to said rotatable member and retaining the ends of said peripheral elements in said notches.

7. A pulling wheel according to claim 5 characterized by said annular ring having notches receiving ends of said peripheral elements, and a retaining ring holding the ends of said elements in said ring notches.

8. A pulling wheel according to claim 5 characterized by fastening means connecting certain ones of said peripheral elements with said annular ring, and additional fastening means connecting the ends of those peripheral elements which are connected to said annular ring to said rotatable member.

9. A pulling wheel of the spoke type comprising a rotatable shaft, a base plate supported in a stationary position around said shaft, a spoke wheel rotatably carried by said base plate, means connecting said shaft and said spoke wheel for rotating said spoke wheel, a multiplicity of peripheral elements, means positioning said elements in a circular pattern around said shaft and equally spaced therefrom, said positioning means also holding said elements in spaced, parallel relationship to provide a multiplicity of uniformly spaced slots through which spokes of the spoke wheel can protrude, and means connecting said rotatable shaft and said positioning means for rotating said positioning means and said peripheral elements.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said peripheral elements having outwardly facing surfaces defining a discontinuous cylindrical surface.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said positioning means comprises means at both ends of said peripheral elements with the positioning means at one of the ends being connected by said connecting means to said rotatable shaft.

12. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said positioning means includes an annular ring member connected to ends of said peripheral elements and located adjacent the periphery of said base plate.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 characterized by fasteners affixing certain ones of said peripheral elements to said annular ring member. 

1. A pulling wheel comprising a rotatable shaft, a rotatable member connected to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a multiplicity of elongate peripheral elements separate and separable from one another, means associated with the periphery of said rotatable member for receiving ends of said rotatable member, said peripheral elements defining a peripheral surface with gaps therebetween and being separable from said rotatable member, an annular ring member at the opposite ends of said peripheral elements and having means for receiving the opposite ends to hold said peripheral elements in fixed, parallel relationship, said peripheral elements being separable from said ring member, and a stationary circular member spaced from said rotatable member and having a peripheral edge adjacent said ring member.
 2. A pulling wheel according to claim 1 characterized by said rotatable member being circular and having notches in the periphery thereof which receive ends of said peripheral elements, and a retaining ring affixed to said rotatable member and holding the ends of said peripheral elements in said notches.
 3. A pulling wheel according to claim 1 characterized by said ring member having notches receiving the opposite ends of said peripheral elements, and a retaining ring holding said opposite ends in said notches.
 4. A pulling wheel according to claim 1 characterized by fastening means connecting certain ones of said peripheral elements with said rotatable member, and additional fastening means connecting the opposite ends of the peripheral elements which are connected with said rotatable member to said ring member.
 5. A pulling wheel comprising a rotatable member having a peripheral edge, a multiplicity of elongate peripheral elements of generally triangular shape in transverse cross section, and including outwardly facing surfaces and two converging surfaces, means associated with the peripheral edge of said rotatable member for holding said peripheral elements with the outwardly facing surfaces positioned to form a discontinuous cylindrical surface adjacent said rotatable member, an annular ring spaced from said rotatable member and engaging portions of said peripheral elements spaced from said rotatable member and aiding in holding said elements in fixed, parallel relationship.
 6. A pulling wheel according to claim 5 characterized by said holding means comprises notches in the peripheral edge of said rotatable member into which the ends of said peripheral elements extend, and a retaining ring affixed to said rotatable member and retaining the ends of said peripheral elements in said notches.
 7. A pulling wheel according to claim 5 characterized by said annular ring having notches receiving ends of said peripheral elements, and a retaining ring holding the ends of said elements in said ring notches.
 8. A pulling wheel according to claim 5 characterized by fastening means connecting certain ones of said peripheral elements with said annular ring, and additional fastening means connecting the ends of those peripheral elements which are connected to said annular ring to said rotatable member.
 9. A pulling wheel of the spoke type comprising a rotatable shaft, a base plate supported in a stationary position around said shaft, a spoke wheel rotatably carried by said base plate, means connecting said shaft and said spoke wheel for rotating said spoke wheel, a multiplicity of peripheral elements, means positioning said elements in a circular pattern around said shaft and equally spaced therefrom, said positioning means also holding said elements in spaced, parallel relationship to provide a multiplicity of uniformly spaced slots through which spokes of the spoke wheel can protrude, and means connecting said rotatable shaft and said positioning means for rotating said positioning means and said peripheral elements.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized By said peripheral elements having outwardly facing surfaces defining a discontinuous cylindrical surface.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said positioning means comprises means at both ends of said peripheral elements with the positioning means at one of the ends being connected by said connecting means to said rotatable shaft.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by said positioning means includes an annular ring member connected to ends of said peripheral elements and located adjacent the periphery of said base plate.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 characterized by fasteners affixing certain ones of said peripheral elements to said annular ring member. 